This place smells great, but if you want to order at their drive-in, forget it. I ordered their 2 item lunch special on sign. They are terribly slow, don't buy from them unless you have 26 minutes from order to wait for your lunch. They even gave the wrong order to the guy in front of me. Geeeez, slow! Don't bother! Update: I ate my lunch : Meat was very dry, almost no BBQ sauce. The mashed potato side was discussing white gravey. Never again,! read more

Just not good! Chopped beef has the look of Alpo, was made up of old meat and gristle. Not sure if people that give positive reviews have ever had real bbq but this ain't it. Employees don't wear masks or gloves and I saw one picking his nose for nose candy. Way too expensive for lunch. Gonna pass on this place. read more

I've eaten at Rib Tickler since we moved to Tomball. I stayed with them when the family repurchased and reopened. No more. The last two times I've gotten takeout (Because of Covid) we've had to throw out over half the food. The links were good, as were the onion rings. The Original Meat Baked Potato ($9.00) was hard on both ends, as was the loaded baked potato (Cost extra). I suspect they had been cooked much earlier in the day and were sitting under a warming light. It was 5:00PM on a Thursday. They had not been "fluffed" as Pecos Grill's (next door) are. The brisket was gristly and sliced incorrectly. It was tough. I can honestly say it was the worst brisket I've ever had. I paid $26.52 for food that I threw away. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. No more. I'll go next door from now on. read more

First time in. I will be back for more. Ribs were tasty and tender. Pulled pork needed no sauce. Give it a try read more

We should have headed the signs when we walked into the restaurant at 6:45 pm on Saturday and no one else was eating there. The parking lot was full but they share it with a neighbor restaurant. I had the two meat plate with brisket and sausage. I left half my brisket on the plate because it was all fat and impossible to eat. What I did eat I had to eat with my hands by first pulling off globs if fat and eating around the fat. My hubby did the same. I should have returned the plates and complained. The skin on the sausage was tough. I could only eat it if I peeled off the skin. My son had a two plate with ribs. They gave him two tiny ribs and tons of sausage. Rip off for sure. We also were disappointed in the sides which were all tasteless. I don't know how this place stays in business. Only one other family came in while we were there, although there seemed to be a steady drive through. The only nice thing I can say is the staff was friendly. Wish I could have had a meal that tasted better for the 60 bucks we spent read more

Currently eating here as I type this. The Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes are PHENOMENAL and the employees are attentive, sweet, and great at their jobs. read more

The best sliced beef sandwich!! And always very friendly

This place has a special on a loaded baked potato and it is outstanding deal baked potatoes and a drink for 10.75 is outstanding the potatoes are so tender and moist all of the fixings that goes on it delicious. If you want some good grub then go enjoy it. read more

Try this place for a second time been a while since the last time I was here hoping he'll be better the barbecue they have here is dry and dry with a side of dry bummer. The sauce is way too salty and the meat whether you get the brisket the sausage or the ribs none of them are good. The people there are friendly though and the establishment is older and has history and has the old-time feel just doesn't have the food to match the feel of the environment. read more

Had to give some love after coming by lately. Food has been really fresh and some items seem better now. Chopped brisket is something that seems better than it did a few years back. Baked potato is great and the onion rings are STILL the best in Tomball. Place has its ups and downs but they're up right now for sure. read more

I'm just plum tickled to learn that The Rib Tickler is back in the caring hands of the original owners. What a difference passion makes. I used to eat here a lot in the 80's and 90's. Then the dark days of weak new owners came. Those days are mercifully over. Its now safe to go back kids. The BBQ is wonderful. Brisket and Ribs are my favorite. Wish they would serve the meat on brown butcher paper and sometimes the trays are still damp from a cleaning. Just a tiny fuss anyways. Rolls of paper towels would be handy too since I usually need to hose myself down after eating a plate of ribs. Not a pretty sight. What is a pretty sight is the locals hanging out and knocking down a good meal. I know of no other BBQ place around that serves better smoked meat. read more

This is a good BBQ place to try if you are out in this area. They have drive through if you are lazy enough like I was on this trip. The meat is very good, and I like me some meat! I enjoy their ribs a lot, the rub they put on it is delicious. They have typical sides for a BBQ place, okra, green beans, baked potatoes. The baked potatoes are the best by far! The only side they do not have that is weird is mac and cheese!! Like come on who doesn't like mac and cheese!!! Very friendly people work there. read more

We first tried Rib Tickler four years ago when we moved into the area--we liked the whimsy of the name. But whimsical this food is not! This is some genuinely good BBQ. They have a full selection of meats: sliced beef, chopped beef, chicken, pork ribs, beef ribs, sausage, and more. My favorites: St Louis ribs (usually run on special, not as a menu item), pork loin, and sausage. The sides are okay, not spectacular. But BBQ is about the meat, not the green beans. Here there's a good selection, as well: green beans, mashed potatoes, potato salad, baked beans, cole slaw, fruit salad, corn on the cob. The things you'd expect to find as side dishes. There's a drive-thru if you don't want to eat in, and they do catering. read more

Ordered the 3 meat plate... Ribs, sliced brisket, turkey... all were excellent.. service was fast if u can beat the lunch crowd. Inexpensive for the quality of food.. the reason I didn't give a 5 is because the baked beans were not to my liking even though they were decent.. I don't know how the other bbq place down the road stays in business.. this place puts the county bbq to shame.. this is a must go bbq in tomball!! I will probably go again tomorrow for lunch!! read more

Meat is okay but the side dishes are extremely poor. Years ago, it was much better but it lost its magic somewhere along the way. I guess I'll wait another year before trying it again. read more

They serve breakfast Friday thru Saturday only and from 7-10 AM. I usually get the breakfast taco which is made however you like your taco, but this morning I tried the burrito. Essentially the same as the taco but about twice as big. I kept it pretty simplewith eggs, cheese, and bacon! I snapped a Shit after my first bite. Check out that egg to bacon ratio! read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - Bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast burrito. - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

Awesome find! A group of 20 went after leaving a soccer game and we all agreed this place was a great find. Although they ran out of ribs by the time we got there (to be fair it was 7:15pm), we all tried different things off the menu. The pulled pork sandwich was good. The chicken was so tasty, we had people going back up for seconds! My teenage daughter had asked me to ask the owner for the mac n cheese recipe because it is "hands down the best I've ever eaten!" The owner was super friendly and the staff was excellent. We definitely will be back whenever we are in the area. read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - When you find a place this good, you don't mind advertising for them. - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

Great food..this is the first time that I ordered the chicken strip salad...and I ate every piece...the lettuce and cucumbers tasted fresh out of the garden. No whimpy lettuce here..delicious. My husband got the stuffed baked potato..loaded and tasty..with 2 sodas..dinner was less than $17..great deal..fabulous food..yum!!! read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

Unexpected find. Good BBQ, moist and tender. Took it home to eat so I think it would have been better to dine in. Drive home was far. Great little place... read more

Found this restaurant on a Yelp on our way back from shopping at the outlets. I would love to give it more stars but it just didn't do it for me. The staff were very helpful, but we found the food to be just okay. The pulled pork could have been a bit more tender. The smoked turkey lacked flavor and the brisket seemed dry. We got a free side of fried pickles for checking in with Yelp and they were my favorite of the entire experience. My husband also seemed to enjoy the BBQ dark chicken pieces. Although he only ate the drumstick and didn't eat the thigh. Which is saying much. Other than that, it was just a below average experience for BBQ. Not sure if it's because Corkscrew BBQ has just ruined it for all other places. Now that's a BBQ place worth waiting in line for. read more

The Rib Tickler catered our wedding and our guests could not stop raving about the food. My husband and I already had tasted the food at our tasting and knew it was delicious, but it was great to hear that all our guests enjoyed it, too! The sausage and brisket are so amazing and their mac and cheese is to die for! We have been to the actual restaurant as well, and everyone there is so nice and hospitable. I would highly recommend them for catering or even just for a drive by when you're craving barbecue!!!!!! read more

1 Star for Service 1 Star for Sauce My boyfriend and I just moved around here and decided to try the local restaurants. This one is definitely one to avoid if you have evolved taste buds. I got their rib and sausage platter, side of potato salad, and side of beans. My boyfriend got the chopped beef sandwich with fries. The food was looking really tasty but after a couple of bites things got awkward. The ribs and sausage were cooked well but the flavoring was mediocre. I started digging into the sides hoping to find some consolation but there was nothing there. Each bite felt empty and sad and I began to question if there was something wrong with my taste buds. I was beginning to panic when I looked up and realized that my boyfriend had the same lost look on his face. I felt a little comfort into knowing I was not the problem and that the food was indeed bland. I love food, I love flavor, and I love sauce so I wasn't leaving this place without being somewhat satisfied. I did what any flavor starved person would do and used some bread to sponge up the BBQ sauce. I popped a slice of pickle in between but even those had an after taste like someone stored them uncovered in the fridge next to onions. Finally, my boyfriend couldn't handle the sight of me reduced to such madness and we left halfway through our meal. This food literally left us in such a bad mood that we HAD to go eat some frozen yogurt to cheer ourselves up again. read more

This restaurant is absolutely amazing! The staff is extremely nice, food is delicious, and the restaurant is very clean. Whenever i'm in Texas, this place is a must! read more

The ribs so salty we could not eat them. Two orders...wasted. tater salad was good

First off, I just wanted to say such great customer service. These people are so sweet every time we come in and I just love the fact that the whole business is more like a family. They also supply lunch on Saturdays for our place of business. They give us such a great deal every time and it's actually enough food to feed are hungry staff. They have a variety of food to choose from and everything really taste so well home cooked. My favorite is the chicken. I swear that they probably cook that chicken all day long to make it taste that way. The other thing that they do great is there ribs of course. They have this sweet tangy taste and I have never had another barbecue spot make them that way. I believe they make their own barbecue sauce as well. It is honestly the best barbecue sauce I have ever tried. And I have been to many many barbecue spots whether it be chain or a little mom-and-pop shops. I don't ever really recommend a lot of barbecue spots to people, but I would definitely recommend this one. They just by far are a great overall barbecue spot. The best thing about it is that you don't have to pay an arm and a leg to get great food. read more

I've always had the Sylvia's light weight turkey despite the name I'm sure the bread has lots of carbs n calories (bread reminds me of Hawaiian bread). It comes w/ honey mustard but I've tried it w/ BBQ and honey mustard, both are great. The service is great! If u call ahead u can go thru the drive thru to pick up n the lady at the drive thru will greet u w/ "Hey honey!" This is a hot spot for lunch so call ahead or be prepared to spend time parking or standing in line . read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - These r "yummy fried pickles" free w/ 1st 3 Yelp checkins. They r good if ur a pickle/anything fried lover. Lil salty this time - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

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There is potential here. The baked potato with better was okay, but leaves a lot of room for improvement. At least the food has improved since the original owners are back. Overall rating: Work on it!! read more

Huge portions of no-frills, delicious Texan fare. The place itself is charming and the people working there are super friendly.

The second time here, the staff is great, the food not as much, I ordered the potato salad it was bland, needed salt, Kroger's potato salad from the deli is better tasting. The Ribs in the name were a disappointment had too much sauce, I thought Texas BBQ would let the taste of the meat be the star, not the sauce, tasted ok, definitely did not fall off the bone but wasn't tough. The beans were like Ranch Style Beans from the can. I'll stick with Rudy's BBQ. read more

Been coming here for years very good food and they have good sweet potato fries and Banana pudding.

Ted & Silvia and their family have been serving excellent BBQ at the Original Rib Tickler in Tomball for many years. I highly recommend this place as everything I've eaten here has been great, and my family has been eating here for over 25 years. The pork ribs here are the best I've had, and I've tried them at many BBQ places for years. The brisket is awesome, pulled pork is tasty, side dishes are fresh and delicious, and desserts are great. The down-home service is the best. I'm a big fan!! read more

Ron's has fantastic burgers!!we also love their chili! The service is very fast and they are very affordable. We live going to eat their and taking our entire family. Make the trip, you will be glad you did! read more

Hands down, my new all-time restaurant, not just for BBQ, but restaurant of any kind! The food was perfectly cooked and delicious. I had 4 different meats with 2 sides and my family couldn't stop raving about the flavors. Honestly, the food being that good was just the cherry on top. What will keep me coming back, what separates them from all others, what drives my recommendation of this restaurant, is the genuine, caring, friendly service I received! From the initial greeting to my departure, I felt extreme warmth and accommodation. My patronage mattered!! Without going in to detail, they performed a service on my order that is unheard of in this day and age!. Suffice it to say, that I felt transported back in time to a kinder, more trusting and respectful era. You have a customer for life. This restaurant gets it! read more

Looking for a bbq place to take our guest from out of town and found this gem. Living so close to it and not taking advantage of its great meats. We enjoyed ribs, sausage and brisket. All superb. Won't be our last time we visit for sure. read more

This is an amazing BBQ place! Every time I'm at a training in Tomball I go there with my coworkers. The service is great, the food is amazing. I highly recommend it! read more

The first time that I got rib Tickler there was no condiments whatsoever the second time I went spending over $60 when we got home on the three meats there was no sides to the meats the mashed potatoes are completely Bland the squash was completely Bland not really that good for the money coleslaw doesn't have enough dressing to it it's dry read more

this is the best ever bbq. Everything is fresh priced ok and clean and YUMMMM it's been around for generations!!!!!$$

Wow definitely 5 stars for me. Great food and good value for the $$$$. Best bbq in tomball so far. Friendly staff quick service. read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

Breakfast tacos were a bust. Brisket was awful, and sliced along the grain. Tough as nails, that is bbq 101. Also, bacon tacos has bacon bits in them, tough too and just disgusting flavor. I don't know, whoever started this legend certainly isn't running it now. Much better bbq out there. read more

We've been coming here for years with family the food is great. But with the girl thats been working the drive thru the last few months it's almost not worth it. She has an extremely rude attitude every single time me or my family go there. She's short with you, cuts you off mid sentence, rolls her eyes constantly and basically throws your food at you when it's ready. We've had problems with other girls that worked the drive thru here that we spoke to the restaurant about but it doesn't seem to help. read more